Hinge pin apparatus and method of use

Abstract

A hinge pin includes a pin body with an upper portion and a lower portion; a reservoir within the pin body and accessible from a top end of the body, the reservoir extending a length of the upper portion; a weep hole extending from an exterior of the pin body and into the reservoir at a base of the reservoir; and a cap removably secured to the pin body at the top end; the upper portion is shorter than the lower portion; and the reservoir is to receive a lubricant to disperse through the weep hole.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hinge pin, comprising:
 a pin body with an upper portion and a lower portion; 
 a reservoir within the pin body and accessible from a top end of the body, the reservoir extending a length of the upper portion; 
 a weep hole extending from an outer surface of the upper portion of the pin body and into the reservoir, the weep hole is positioned at a base of the reservoir; and 
 a cap configured to removably secure to the pin body at the top end of the body; 
 wherein the upper portion has a first diameter and the lower portion has a second diameter, the first diameter of the upper portion is greater than the second diameter of the lower portion; and 
 wherein the reservoir is configured to receive a lubricant to disperse through the weep hole. 
 
     
     
       2. The hinge pin of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion extends 20% or less of a length of the pin body. 
     
     
       3. The hinge pin of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion extends 10% or less of a length of the pin body. 
     
     
       4. The hinge pin of  claim 1 , wherein the weep hole has a diameter sized appropriately to allow a volume of lubricant held by the reservoir to completely disperse within 1 minute. 
     
     
       5. The hinge pin of  claim 1 , wherein the weep hole has a diameter sized appropriately to allow a volume of lubricant held by the reservoir to completely disperse within 30 seconds. 
     
     
       6. The hinge pin of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion has a threaded opening for engaging with a threaded connector of the cap. 
     
     
       7. The hinge pin of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second weep hole extending from the exterior of the pin body and into the reservoir at the base of the reservoir. 
 
     
     
       8. A method of lubricating a hinge, the method comprising:
 providing the hinge pin of  claim 2 ; 
 securing the hinge pin within a hinge, wherein the exterior of the hinge pin is in contact with elements of the hinge; 
 removing the cap from the top of the pin body; 
 filling the reservoir with the lubricant; 
 securing the cap to the top of the pin body; and 
 allowing the lubricant to seep from the weep hole to lubricate the exterior surface of the hinge pin and the elements of the hinge. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 waiting a period of time; 
 removing the cap for a second time from the top of the pin body; 
 filling the reservoir with the lubricant; and 
 allowing the lubricant to seep from the weep hole to lubricate the exterior surface of the hinge pin and the elements of the hinge for a second time.